The Nicaraguan Elections. Thoughts from a gringo living in Sandinista Country.

This is a sticky, being a diehard progressive my heart leaps for joy whenever the Left beats the Right. Even if the Left is a chauffered child molesting corrupt disconnected bastard. Ok, maybe my heart doesn't always leap for joy when the Left wins.

Im excited about the possibilities of what the Sandinistas could do. Hopefully, we will see a fall in poverty and the deep sadness stretching across Nicaragua through an increase in social spending, a committment to creating jobs, support for the people's movements here - the landless workers movement, Fair Trade, and the women's movement - and maybe a little hackle raising feather rustling for the USA. Pronounced UH - sah here.

There are problems though. Daniel has increased ties with bankers, big business, the ultra conservatives and is corruption riddled just like his fat pact signing friend Arnoldo Aleman. And for women in the crowd and concerned others, Daniel put all his support behind the recent complete ban on abortions that just passed through the Nicaraguan version of congress. Scary shit. There has also been talk of him passing laws to prevent Panama and the United States from extraditing Arnoldo Aleman for persecution of the theft of millions upon millions of dollars donated to Nicaragua for relief work after Hurricane Mitch put the smackdown on the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, according to GDP figures. And CAFTA? Where does Daniel fall? Pro-CAFTA, more or less. Another strike against the former revolutionary.

Four legitimate parties ran in this election. The Sandinistas and the MRS on the left flanked by PLC and the ALN on the right. Each party won a number of congressional seats and developed a or strengthed its existing following. Sadly, out of the 4, only the MRS really offers a different economic and social vision for the country. Garnishing the fewest votes, yet they established themselves and, in some districts, got almost 50% of the vote for president and diputados(think senators). Not bad for a first year party. The development of a true multiparty system only bodes well for Nicaragua democracy if not entirely well for the Nicaraguans.

Looking at Latin America right now and seeing the push towards more populist leaders you could put Daniel's victory in a positive, if not cautious light. I hope it leads towards a strengthening of a unique Latin American political indentity and gives them more confidence to stand up to the big northern bully. Unfortunately, Nicaragua's dependence on US remittances and other aid might seriously hinder any significant political actions. Vamos a ver.

Personally, Im not scared that there will be any rash actions. The world is not the same as it was in the 80's. From the Nicaraguans I have talked to there a few general responses. Angry at Daniel's victory, positive and cautious, or downright joyful because finally after 16 years the Sandinistas are back in power. The questions now: How much have they changed? How much have they remained the same? And if they have changed, in which direction did they go?

It is going to be an interesting 5 years.